IslamicFinance.de

Al Rajhi Bank will reportedly distribute dividends worth SR2.25bn ($599.9m) for the first six months of 2013. This is equivalent to 1.5 riyals per share. The amount is slightly higher than the 1.25 riyals per share which the bank paid last year. Separately, Banque Saudi Fransi said it would distribute dividends worth SR361.6m ($96.4m) for the first six months of the year. This equates to 0.4 riyals per share. In 2012, Banque Saudi Fransi paid a full-year dividend of 0.8 riyals per share, indicating that this year's payment is in line with that made last year. Al Rajhi is expected to release its second-quarter earnings around July 16.

The two entities signed an MoU on the potential merger and a steering committee of senior representatives from both parties has been formed. Subsequently, a service provider was appointed to undertake valuation of both entities. KHCB has also appointed an advisor to assist it. Valuations and preliminary due diligence is expected to be completed within two months.

Standard Chartered Plc will start offering Islamic banking in Kenya as a springboard into the rest of Africa, Wasim Saifi, its global head of Islamic consumer banking said. Moreover, it may expand services in Indonesia. He said the bank would offer the services through its Islamic banking brand, Standard Chartered Saadiq, targeting the country’s official Muslim population of 4 million people, as well as non-Muslims. The new products will first be launched in Kenya, then in other countries in east Africa and west Africa, as well as further afield. Especially Indonesia is interesting to the bank because Islamic finance is set to triple or quadruple in the next five-ten years in the country. Standard Chartered currently offers Islamic banking in Indonesia through associate Bank Permata

The state-owned Islamic Bank of Thailand (IBank) believes its capital-adequacy ratio will return to positive territory this year. The expectation stems from applying the Finance Ministry's loan-loss provision requirements, which are less stringent than the Bank of Thailand's. The Finance Ministry requires the bank to set aside only 9-10 billion baht in loan-loss provision reserves based on 2012 performance. However, it reserved 15 billion baht to comply with central bank. According to Thongrob Danampai, chairman of IBank's executive committee, IBank's non-performing loans (NPLs) amounted to 38.5 billion baht as of last Dec 31 or 34.2% of its total lending. IBank's suspension of working-capital loans late last year could be blamed for a 15-billion-baht. IBank expects to resolve 20 billion baht in NPLs this year.

The "International Islamic Microfinance Seminar" was held in Abuja, Nigeria on July 1-2, 2013. This event focused on Nigeria’s Islamic microfinance and banking industry including topics relating developing and facilitating business models; poverty alleviation; financial inclusion; accounting and auditing standards; the regulatory and supervisory framework; technology; and opportunities in agriculture, livestock, renewable energy, microenterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises. Green Oasis Associates Limited (GOAL), a Nigeria-based international consulting firm, organized the seminar.

Since the Government of Indonesia issued the Sharia Banking Law in July 2008, the Islamic banking industry has shown a strong growth. According to data from Bank Indonesia, between 2008 and 2012, Islamic bank assets tripled, increasing by an average of 31.5% annually. But despite their growth, Sharia-compliant financial service providers accounted for only 4.5% of total banking sector assets. Policy discussions around Islamic bank development in Indonesia have largely taken place in the context of increasing financial access, especially to micro, small, and medium enterprises, or MSMEs. Bank officers are the key to stimulate demand for Sharia-compliant financing since they are the main source of education on Islamic products. Empowering Islamic financial service providers to reach more clients is not only good for business, but it is also smart policy.

The event "Microfinance Summit Pakistan 2013" will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan on July 8-10, 2013. This event focuses on topics relating to financial inclusion, microfinance investment vehicles, branchless banking, microinsurance, market segmentation, distribution channels for reaching poor people, and microfinance regulation and policy in Pakistan. It will be co-hosted by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and the Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN). Although there is no cost to attend this event, registration is required. More information ist available on the event website http://www.mfs2013.com/.

Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) has assigned a national scale rating of A+/A-1 (SR) to Bank AlJazira. On the international scale, IIRA has assigned a foreign currency and local currency rating of A-/A-2. Outlook on the rating is ‘stable’. The fiduciary score has been assessed in the range of ‘71-75’, reflecting adequate fiduciary standards. The assigned credit ratings incorporate the bank’s improving asset quality and standalone profitability as well as an adequate liquidity profile and capitalization levels. However, BAJ, like other banks in Saudi Arabia, remains sensitive to concentration related risks. While large single exposures are likely to persist in the portfolio, segment-wise broadening will overtime reduce its possible impact, in case of impairment in large financings.

Maran Nakilat Company, a joint venture between Nakilat and Maran Ventures, has secured $662.4mn Islamic refinancing. At a ceremony held in Doha, Maran Nakilat signed the Murabaha refinancing agreement with Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) and Barwa Bank. With the refinancing, Maran Nakilat will be able to expand its fleet of LNG carriers from four vessels to six, with the delivery of two new carriers scheduled for early 2014. At the same time, Nakilat has also increased its ownership of Maran Nakilat Company. Latham & Watkins advised Maran Nakilat on commercial and legal matters related to the refinancing, while Allen & Overy advised QIB and Barwa Bank.

On March 19, 2012, certain Arcapita entities filed voluntary petitions under chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code as a means to reorganise their business and restructure over US$2.5bn of indebtedness. Arcapita’s chapter 11 process is still
ongoing but is already creating a new landscape for Middle Eastern companies to consider when they face restructuring scenarios. Several key elements of Arcapita’s ongoing chapter 11 process demonstrate that a chapter 11 filing can
be an effective means of implementing a restructuring for a Middle East-based company, including procedures
to prevent enforcement action by creditors, maintain the debtor’s control over its own restructuring and obtain access to new financing needed to complete a restructuring.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced that an Islamic screening exercise has been carried out on the 15 companies in the NSE Lotus Islamic Index (NSE LII) and other Shari'ah compliant companies using the 2012 year-end financial statements. The result saw some stocks likely to fail the screening exercise. The NSE said possible replacements will be made to the stocks that are due to exit the index. Some of the stocks being watched for replacement are Japaul Oil & Maritime Service Plc, Honeywell Flourmills Plc and Dangote Flour Plc. The 15 companies that will make the NSE LII list and market capitalizations will be made public before the end of the month, and before the index rebasing date of July 1, 2013.

The Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) is organising its first Seminar focusing on the Islamic financial services in Africa which will be held on 6 to 7 September in Mauritius, hosted by the Bank of Mauritius. This Seminar is targeted at regulatory authorities and financial institutions from African nations interested in developing or exploring Islamic Finance. Numerous experts of Islamic finance will participate. The IFSB is also organising a Pre Seminar Workshop on Introduction to Islamic Finance and the IFSB Standards on 5 September 2012, prior to the Seminar, which is open to all participants attending the Seminar. The Workshop aims to provide them with a better understanding of Islamic financial services and the IFSB activities.

Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (BIMB) expects its 'Dream-of-a-Lifetime' campaign, starting today to Sept 30, 2013, to increase the customers' uptake of the Al-Awfar Savings and Investment account. Just as in the previous campaign, the latest promotional initiative also offers Al-Awfar customers the opportunity to win cash prizes of up to RM1 million. To be eligible for the draw, the account holders needed to maintain a minimum balance of RM1,000 in their accounts until Dec 31, 2013. Each RM1,000 deposited will entitle the customers one entry for the prize draw. BIMB said the campaign will be opened to all existing as well as new account holders. To date, the bank has secured approximately RM1.54 billion in deposits through Al-Awfar of which 90 per cent are in Al-Awfar Savings Account.

The Finance Ministry has set up a committee to investigate the past work of former president of Islamic Bank of Thailand, Thanin Angsuwarangsi. Finance Permanent Secretary Areepong Bhoocha-oom said that the investigation will focus on employees’ petitions, which must be clarified though Thanin already resigned. Thanin's resignation after only six months in office followed employees' pressure. Over 1,400 employees signed the petition to the board, saying that a number of the president's decisions caused damage to the bank.

Kuwait Finance House said on Monday that a customer had settled $296.6 million of debt owed to the bank and that the impact of the receipt would be reflected in its second-quarter results. The customer had owed 32.6 million dinars or $114.3 million to KFH and 51 million dinars to subsidiaries. KFH did not give any details about the debtor, or say whether the customer was a corporate entity or an individual. The bank is expected to release second-quarter earnings in August.

Barwa Bank’s investment banking division, The First Investor (TFI) and Investra Investments have announced the first two property acquisitions of their UK joint venture fund. The fund invests in income-generating property in the distribution, logistics and light-industrial sector of the UK, targeting net quarterly dividends of 7%-9% per annum and capital appreciation over three years. Both TFI and Investra have seeded the fund with approximately QR56mn capital from their respective balance sheets. TFI and Investra have put together an institutional grade investment programme in collaboration with Pelham Associates as well as internationally renowned lawyers, tax advisors and administrators to deliver best in class governance, investment management and risk management. TFI and Investra will be continuing their investment programme in the UK distribution, logistics and light-industrial sector until Q1, 2014.

Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) has assigned a national scale rating of A+/A-1 to Bank AlJazira (BAJ). On the international scale, IIRA has assigned a foreign currency and local currency rating of A-/A-2. Outlook on the rating is 'Stable'. The fiduciary score has been assessed in the range of '71-75', reflecting adequate fiduciary standards. BAJ has grown at a CAGR of 19% in terms of asset size over the last three years through continuous expansion in branches and business acquisition. Moreover, the bank has broadened its business base with an enhanced presence in the corporate segment and a growing exposure towards the retail market. However, it remains sensitive to concentration related risks. The bank has a well developed corporate governance framework in place with effectively functioning board and management level committees.

Noor Islamic Bank has completed Islamic capital market mandates valued at over $1.4 billion (AED5.14 billion) in the past six months in Turkey. As an Initial Mandated Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Noor successfully closed a $500 million equivalent dual-currency Murabaha facility for Türkiye Finans Katilim Bankasi, which was oversubscribed two times. Noor Islamic Bank has also been an Initial Mandated Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner for a $382 million dual currency Murabaha Facility for Asya Katilim Bankasi A.S (Bank Asya) and a $500 million Sukuk for Tukiye Finans Katilim Bankasi A.S. In total, 85 banks and financial institutions across Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe have participated in the syndicated financing deals led by Noor this year.

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) announced the official launch of its new Gold Account. This product enables KFH's clients to buy and sell physical gold biscuits securely. Available at KFH's Head Office branch in Kuwait, the gold biscuits each weigh 100grams and have a purity value of 999.9. KFH clients will be able to open Gold Accounts with no fees charged from 01 July by purchasing a minimum of one gold biscuit. They will then be able to choose whether to withdraw the physical gold or to keep it in custody with KFH without charge for an initial period. Further purchases or sales of gold can then be done conveniently and securely through crediting or debiting a customers' current or savings account. KFH currently plans to offer customers the ability to open Gold Accounts in other branches in Kuwait City in the near future.

Some firms are starting to combine sukuk, using portfolios of long-term issues to back short-term certificates. This lets them create liquidity programmes that address the persistent shortage of money market instruments needed by Islamic banks to manage their short-term funds. Such is the approach used by Bahrain-based Liquidity Management Centre (LMC). The programme is uses an SPV (special purpose vehicle) where all the sukuk are booked. The SPV is fully backed by sukuk of different tenors and rates. A similar format is to be used by the Malaysia-based International Islamic Liquidity Management Corp (IILM), where all of the assets will be either sovereign, sovereign-linked or supranational assets. If these programmes gain traction they could open the door to additional layers of securitisation.